(RALEIGH)—Some of North Carolina’s top elected Republican leaders expressed mourning and condolences about the passing of conservative champion Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Governor Pat McCrory issued the following statement after learning about Scalia’s death.

“America has lost a giant of the U.S. Supreme Court and a man who devoted nearly his entire adult life to public service,” Governor McCrory said. “He was an unapologetic defender of the Constitution whose intellect and congeniality will be missed. Ann and I offer our deepest condolences to the Scalia family.”

Representative Virginia Foxx, a Republican who represents North Carolina’s 5^th Congressional District, issued a similar statement:

"The United States has suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of Antonin Scalia. A passionate defender of the Constitution, Justice Scalia was a patriot who brought great intellect, character and wit to our highest court for nearly three decades. My prayers are with his family. His service to God and country will not be forgotten."